Summary

• ActionScript is Flash's interactive language. It is a set of actions that enables Flash to communicate with internal elements (timelines, symbols, sounds, and so on) and external Web pages and scripts.

• The Behaviors panel enables the novice user to quickly add interactive commands to Flash movie elements.

• Flash 8 introduces a new scripting mode called Script Assist, which enables you to see your code in a more user-friendly layout.

• Flash interactivity is based on a relatively simple structure: An event handler waits for something to happen (a playback point being reached or the user providing input), and when that something does happen, it executes one or more actions (which alter the movie's playback, behavior, or properties; load a file; or execute a script).

• The Timeline Control booklet contains the fundamental actions for navigating Flash playback through multiple scenes and keyframes, as well as controlling soundtracks. The Browser/Network booklet contains the getURL action, which can direct the browser window to external Web resources such as HTML pages and FTP downloads.

• All actions need an event handler to activate them. Event handlers include keyframes on a timeline, button clicks, mouse movements, and key presses. More advanced event handlers are discussed in later chapters.

• Invisible buttons enable you to create interactive areas on top of other Flash artwork or symbols.